CASH-strapped churches may have to pool their vicars in a bid to cut costs.

The diocese, who stumps up Parish Share - the cost of paying the parson's wages, their maintenance, training and accommodation - is considering a plan to make their services stretch a little.

And the local clergy are willing but a little nervous about that.

Reverend Verena Breed, who has four parishes - Wincle, Wildboarclough, North Rode and Bosley - said: "We will struggle quite badly but will stick together and work at it. I know there is potential for people to give more, but not that much more.

"But the worst scenario could be that there will be no new vicar if I should leave and parishes may be split up and added onto other parishes."

Funds are raised through Sunday collections, events like Christmas fairs, fetes and public donations, and are reliant on the generosity of parishioners.

The new share, voted through by the Diocesan Synod will be based on the potential revenue of a parish.

The mother-of-two said: "The problem is that, because they have calculated it by looking at socioeconomic patterns, this does not necessarily mean that the wealthier people will contribute to the church.

"And there are only 949 residents in all four of our parishes together so raising the amount of money we need is going to be a real struggle.

"Not many people live there, and the burden is on just a few shoulders."

The old system was based on churches' existing revenue and was increased every year using a banding system.

Mrs Breed said: "That was unfair because some churches didn't make as much effort to raise funds and the ones that did were penalised in a way, by increases.

"But this system isn't perfect, we will all struggle, I think rural parishes in particular - and on this side of the diocese, 35 per cent are really deprived areas."

The upkeep of a vicar and vicarage costs about £38,000 a year - and three of Rev Breed's parishes will have to pay 125pc to contribute to poorer parishes.

Another criticism of the new system is that the census takes into account everyone in the parish - not just those who are likely to contribute to the church.

"We will just have to ask the same people who already contribute to give more," she said, "The attendance is good at our churches but there is not that much income."

At the moment, her parishes pay £5,000 each per year but with the new system, each will pay about £12,000.

She added: "We can put complaints forward to the archdeacon of Macclesfield - and they seem open to feedback but the system is now in place."

"I feel it is vital for the rural ministry to retain its own vicar.

"Fifty years ago, each parish had its own vicar but now that's all changed, and it looks like it will change even more."

Reverend Dave Mock, of St Barnabas on the Moss Estate and St Peter's in Macclesfield, can see some problems with the new system.

His views are mixed on the use of the census to determine the potential revenue of parishes.

He said: "You tend to find that, often, the poorer parishioners contribute more than the rich -that's just the way it is."

"But because Macclesfield is quite homogenous, it's not based on how many Christians live here.

"In some ways, this is a good system, definitely better than the old one - but areas which are very poor, ideally I think, should be paid for by the Church of England."

His churches are part of a "team parish" which means other parishes will help to pay for his parishes.

He said: "There is no way we could pay for a vicar so the other churches help out. I think most churches will find a way to do this, some will find it difficult but it is a fair system."

Diocese of Chester communications director Stephen Regan said: "Our new system isn't perfect ,but it is designed to help poorer parishes. Specifically, a quarter of the parishes of the diocese will pay less than the full costs of a vicar under the new system.

"Overall, there will be an increase of some six per cent in the total of money requested by the Diocese from parishes, but in terms of individual parishes there will be wide variations.

"Over the next few years, as the new system is phased in, some poorer parishes will see the amount they are requested to pay being reduced, substantially in some cases."

But until that reduction, it is likely many churches in Macclesfield will struggle.